2009 Chevrolet Aveo: America’s least expensive vehicle
After last summer’s “break the bank” price of gas and the current recession; small, fuel-efficient cars have come back into favor. Classified by the EPA as a subcompact, Chevrolet’s Aveo debuted in 2004 and has been a well received surprise addition to the bowtie logoed family. A big plus is that the 2009 Aveo comes with a price tag that makes it the least expensive vehicle sold in the U.S.
The Aveo is available as a subcompact sedan or four-door hatchback called the Aveo5, which is the model Joe and I tested. In terms of size, it's shorter in length and taller than Chevy's second-least-expensive automotive offering, the Cobalt which we tested a couple of months ago. The Aveo's tall profile look is one of the things you either like or you don’t (I do). But its strong suit is the dividends that profile provides in terms of ample amounts of headroom and legroom.
How much space is ample? When I told my wife that a friend of mine, who is actually taller than yours truly, and I’m 6’ 1”, (plus a beefy 240 lbs) had agreed to ride with me to a meeting in Fort Lauderdale, she offered up her car. Her generous offer was accompanied with the statement, “how are the two of you going to fit in there?” After trip in the Chevy Aveo5, my friend Chris and I agreed that not only was it not a problem, it was truly quite comfortable with plenty of move about space. It also has a fold-down rear seat and it can carry up to 42 cubic feet of cargo.
The Chevrolet Aveo5 gets 26/34 mpg, thanks to its fuel-efficient 1.6-liter four with 107 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque, and either a five-speed manual or the optional four-speed automatic transmisson like our test model.
Built in South Korea by GM Daewoo, the Aveo5 is a typically engineered Asian economy ride with MacPherson struts, a torsion-beam rear, and a short 97.7-inch wheelbase.
The Aveo is available in a variety of flavors; there is the base model, the LS and the LT. New sheet metal for 2009 has greatly improved the Aveo’s appearance over the previous models. The Aveo5 carries Chevrolet’s new signature front-end styling, with a gold Chevy bow framed by a larger grille. The larger tail lamps and a rear spoiler really dress up this econobox.
Three trim levels are offered: Special Value, LS and LT. Special Value is offered on the Aveo5 only and is sparsely equipped, as it comes with 14-inch steel wheels, manual mirrors and windows, manual locks, side airbags and a radio with four speakers. The LS adds air-conditioning and carpeted floor mats, as well as desired options such as cruise control, a sunroof, antilock brakes, power windows, keyless entry, a CD/MP3 player and 15-inch alloy wheels. The LT trim is available on the sedan only and includes most of the LS model's options as standard and can be ordered with leatherette seating and an upgraded audio system.
With a base price of $12,120 the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 is prime candidate to lead the charge against higher gas prices and lower car payments.
